The KPK Will Summon The SYL Family After The Former Adjutant Explains The Use Of The Ministry Of Agriculture's Budget

Illustration of the KPK building in Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta. (ANTARA-Fianda Sjofjan Rassat

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will summon family members of former Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL to be investigated in the investigation of alleged money laundering (TPPU).

The summons was a follow-up to Panji Harjanto's testimony which stated that the Ministry of Agriculture's family had used the Ministry of Agriculture's budget by Syahrul Yasin Limpo's family at the April 17 trial.

"From the facts of the trial, strengthening will be carried out by summoning witnesses to examine," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri to reporters at the KPK's Red and White Building, Friday, April 19.

However, Ali was pessimistic about the plan to summon it. This is because the reason for their family relationship can be the basis for them to resign as witnesses.

"The condition of being a witness when there is a direct family relationship is at least the third of the suspects can resign," he said.

The KPK is said to have not given up on thoroughly investigating the involvement of other parties, especially in money laundering or money laundering efforts. Another way will be taken to prove it.

"Well, then the challenge of the KPK in itself is how other evidence is to link the actions of the current defendant or the suspect from the money laundering crime, there was the involvement of other parties," said Ali.

During the trial, Panji had mentioned that Syahrul Yasin Limpo had cut the Ministry of Agriculture's budget by 20 percent from echelon I officials.

The money is said to have been used by Syahrul Yasin Limpo to make donations when attending a wedding with the money. Then, another use is to pay the beauty doctor to renovate his son's house.

"What you remember, to pay the assistant earlier, to buy a house, what else? Anything else? Because this is related to funds that state state losses," asked the prosecutor.

"For costs, if there is a wedding ceremony, donate," said Panji.

"What else? Because here what you put forward is only Rp. 10 million, Rp. 10 million. Is there any other budget that is more than that?" asked the prosecutor.

"To the doctor, continue to run for the household," said Panji.

In the case of alleged extortion and gratification, Syahrul Yasin Limpo was charged with extortion of up to Rp44.5 billion during the 2020-2023 period. This action was carried out together with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono and the Director of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery of the Directorate General of Infrastructure and Facilities of the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Hatta.

This money was then used for the benefit of Syahrul's wife and family, invited gifts, the NasDem Party, religious events, aircraft charters to Umrah and sacrifices. In addition, he was also charged with receiving gratuities of Rp40.6 billion from January 2020 to October 2023.